Unemployment Benefit Claims Increased by 21,000 to 311,000

WASHINGTON—New applications for unemployment benefits rose last week but remained near eight-year lows.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits increased by 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 311,000 in the week ended Aug. 9, the Labor Department said Thursday. That was more than the 295,000 new claims forecast by economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal and the highest level since June. Claims for the previous week were revised up slightly to 290,000.